The Love Series: Gentle & Loving Touch

The door opened and Tara looked up from the stuffed bear she was holding. The lady in black clothes walked in with a man and a woman almost her own parents' age and a boy.

"Here she is. This is Tara. In your application form, you stated that you want to adopt a female at around the age of 5, right?" the social worker said.

"Yes, we did. William here has asked for a younger sibling for a long time. So, we decided to adopt." Miriam said. 15-year-old William blushed but continue to look at his new sibling in awe and wonder.

As they were standing at the door talking, Tara looked on quietly, observing their every move. Even though she was just 5, she had learned to be very cautious and observe people's movement. It was to avoid her parents beatings and mood swings. When her parents were in a good mood, they would leave her alone. But if they were in a bad mood, which was most of the time, they would beat her and do things to her that hurt so bad.

The man, woman and boy came towards her and sit down opposite her while the lady in black clothes stood by the door.

"Hi, Tara. My name is Miriam. This is Steven and William. We are going to take you to our home. You are coming to live with us." Miriam said softly.

She has a soft and gentle voice. Mama never speak like this to me, Tara thought.

Steven reached out his hand to pat Tara's head. Tara immediately ducked and moved a little further away from Steven.

"No, no. It's okay. I am not going to hurt you. I just want to touch your head, that's all." Steven said.

Tara shook her head, clutching her bear tighter.

Steven held up his hands. "Okay. It's okay. No touching." he said.

Steven and Miriam exchanged glances. According to the social worker, Tara was abused badly by her parents. She was beaten, sexually assaulted and neglected. She was fed irregularly. That's why she was so small and thin. There were a lot of marks and scars on her. A neighbour noticed her dirty clothes and bleeding cheek when she was out in the garden briefly and contacted the police. She was rescued from the evil clutches of her parents and put up for adoption.

William went to her side. Tara moved away a little. "Hey. It's okay. I am your new big brother and I won't hurt you. Come on, let's go home."

Tara looked at the lady in black clothes. She nodded and smiled. Tara got up slowly and walked out the door with her new family.

The next few months was chaos for the family. Tara refused to be touched by anyone. Her temper was unpredictable. She would scream and cry for no reason. When Miriam or Steven tried to talk to her, she would turn her head away and cover her ears. When William tried to play with her, she would throw the toys away and kick William. She would break things in the house, throw her food on the floor and generally cause a lot of trouble for the family.

Miriam and Steven tried to show her that they weren't like their parents. But Tara just refused to open up to this family. Miriam and Steven were just about to give up when an old friend came to visit them and gave them something that helped them with Tara.

Rocky the Golden Retriever joined the family. He was full of energy and always ready to play. Soon, Rocky, in his own doggy way, noticed that Tara wasn't the same as the rest of the family. Tara rejected Rocky just like she rejected her new family members. But Rocky wasn't about to give up on Tara.

One evening, William was brushing Rocky's beautiful, long golden coat. Tara watched William through an open window. Rocky was enjoying the brushing and woofed happily. When William was done brushing Rocky, William gave Rocky a big hug and patted him. Rocky licked William's face in response.

"He seems very happy when you touch him." Tara said.

"Oh, yes. This is one of the ways we show love and that is through touch." William said.

Tara didn't respond to that. She just looked at Rocky.

"Do you...want to brush him?" William asked.

Tara shook her head and walked away. William sighed and turned his attention back to Rocky.

One day, Tara was in one of her bad moods. She was crying in a corner of her bedroom. Her bedroom door wasn't close properly and Rocky, hearing the crying sounds, poked his head into the room to investigate. He stood at the bedroom door, whining softly. Tara saw Rocky and screamed at him, wanting him to go away. Rocky, of course, didn't understand what she wanted. He only know that Tara was crying and he wanted to do something to help. Tara started throwing her things at him. So, he didn't go into the room but he lie down outside her bedroom door, looking at him with his big brown eyes. Tara was surprised. She quiet down and looked at the dog.

William came up the stairs looking for Rocky. He saw Tara and Rocky staring at each other. He sat down beside Rocky and looked at Tara.

"Do you know why Rocky is still here even though you threw things at him?" William asked.

Tara shook her head. "Why?"

"Because Rocky knows you are sad and he wanted to comfort you. But he doesn't know how to say it. He just wants you to know that he is your friend and wants to be with you." William said.

"But I threw things at him. I screamed at him. Why would he still want to be my friend?" Tara asked.

"He loves you, Tara. He doesn't care that you threw things at him and screamed at him. He loves you and wants to comfort you." William answered.

Tara looked at William. "Really?"

"Really." William said, smiling. "Do you want to play catch with Rocky and me?"

"Okay." Tara said.

From that day on, Tara began to change. She started to open up to William and Rocky. When William was in school, Tara would talk to Rocky. Rocky would lie down beside Tara. William taught Tara how to play catch with Rocky and showed her the tricks that he taught Rocky. Soon, Tara smiled and laughed more often. Her wild mood swings becoming lesser and lesser.

But Tara still wouldn't touch Rocky or allow any of her new family members touch her. Even though she was opening up to her new family members, to William especially, but there was still this thick wall that she built around herself and wouldn't allow anyone to come through this wall. But everything changes one afternoon, when Tara woke up from her nap.

Tara had a bad dream and woke up screaming. Steven was at work and William was at school. Miriam was outside talk to a neighbour and didn't hear her scream. But Rocky heard. He immediately went to her bedroom and poked his head in. Tara was sitting on her bed, clutching her stuffed bear and crying. Rocky walked quietly to her side and looked at her. Then, he lie down beside her, putting his head on her lap.

William came home from school at that moment and Miriam came into the house with William.

"Rocky?" William called.

But Rocky didn't leave Tara's side. He continued to lie there while Tara sobbed. William came up the stairs in saw Rocky with Tara. He was surprised to see that Tara allowed Rocky to put his head on her lap. He came into the room and sat down beside her.

"Hey. Bad dreams again?" William asked.

Tara nodded her head.

"You know, you can always tell me and Rocky about it." William said.

Tara sniffed. Slowly she lifted her head up from her stuffed bear and looked at William. Then she looked at Rocky. Her right hand hovered over Rocky's head, as if she was unsure whether to push Rocky away or pat Rocky.

"It's okay. Rocky loves to be pat. Go ahead. Touch him." William encouraged Tara.

Tara slowly put her hand on Rocky's head.

"It's so soft." Tara whispered. William smiled but said nothing.

Tara began patting Rocky. Then, she looked at William.

"I dreamt that I was back with my mommy and daddy. Mommy was shouting at me. Then daddy came to me and took out his belt. He started to beat me. After that, he would take off my clothes and do things to me. When mommy and daddy touch me, I always feel painful. I am scared, William." Tara said, her eyes filled with tears again.

"You don't have to be scared anymore. You are here with us and you always will be here with us." William said.

Tara looked away and didn't respond. William slowly reach out for Tara's hand. Tara didn't flinch or move away. William held Tara's hand and said, "Tara, look at me." Tara looked at William.

"Mom, dad and I aren't like your mommy and daddy. We won't beat you and do bad things to you. We love you. Rocky loves you. When we touch you, we won't make you feel painful. See. I am touching you right now. Do you feel any pain?" William said.

Tara shook her head. Then, she put her head on Rocky while William gently stroke Tara's hair. Tara was finally responding to touch.

Soon, Tara settled in to this new family after months of chaos. After a while, she allowed Steven, Miriam and William to pat her head and hold her hand. She is now a healthy and beautiful little girl who adores her big brother. As William and Tara play catch with Rocky in the garden, Miriam and Steven watch from an open window.

"Thank God for that dog. If it wasn't for that dog, I think we probably would have given up on Tara." Steven commented.

"No, dear. Thank God for you son. If it wasn't for his patience, Tara wouldn't have open up to us." Miriam corrected Steven.

"I think we should thank God for both the dog and our son. Both of them helped Tara to let go of her past and accepts human touch again." Steven said.

"You are right. Now, Tara understands the meaning of love through Rocky and William's gently and loving touch." Miriam agreed.

They smiled at each other and turned their attention towards their son and daughter. They came in from the garden and William gave his parents the usual hug. To their surprise, Tara also came and hug them both. Tears came to Miriam's eyes when Tara said, "Mommy!" That was the most beautiful word spoken to Miriam. Tara is on the mend and accepted this family as her own.

They are a normal and simple family. But love made them feel rich and content with their lives. Love conquers everything.

This is the end of the Love Series. Hope you have enjoyed reading all these short stories and somehow be touched by them. Don't go away just yet. Up next is "The city girl and the kampung boy". Stay tune! =)

The Love Series: Just 4 U Services

Hello, my readers! A very Happy Chinese New Year to you all! Sorry for the 2 weeks break. It is Chinese New Year, after all! (Fine... I am just going to come out and admit it.. I have been a little lazy... xP) Anyways, I am going to continue on the series and stories that I have promised in February. Sorry, again, for the long wait! =)

"Honey! I am home!" Bob yelled after closing the front door. But his answer was screaming and crying from the dining room. "Hon?" Bob walked towards the dining room. There was his wife, Caroline, trying to clean up the mess on the floor while his two young children, John, 6, and Emily, 3, were crying and fighting over a toy. "Oh wow. What happened?" Bob asked. "What happened?! What happened here is that your son and your daughter wouldn't stop fighting the whole time I am trying to make dinner and now I have make a mess on the kitchen. I am tired and dinner is not ready!" Caroline burst out in tears. "Hey, hey. It's okay." Bob tried to console Caroline. "No it's not! I just... Can you please just take care of them and order delivery or something?" Caroline asked. "Sure." Bob said. Caroline left the dining room without another word.

That night, after Bob had put the children to bed, he went into their bedroom. "Hey. Everything alright?" Bob asked Caroline. Caroline just shrugged her shoulders as she continue to look at the papers in her hands. Bob gently removed the papers from her hands and turned her around to face him. Caroline avoided eye contact. "What is it, hon? You can tell me." Bob said gently. "I just feel tired of everything. I feel like I am the one having to juggle my job, the kids and the house chores. Not to say that you don't help. You do. I just wish I can have more "me" time, you know?" Caroline said. "I get it. I can try coming back earlier from work to help out" Bob said. "You said that the last time too. You did it for 2 days then it's back to normal." Caroline informed him. "Oh." Bob thought hard, trying to find a suitable response. "Never mind. Can I get back to my work now?" Caroline asked. "Yeah. Sure." Bob said. Caroline turned back to her work and Bob went to bed.

He felt so helpless in this kind of situation. He could feel the strain in their relationship and he tried to do something about it. But every single time he tried his plans, it backfired on him. Since the first time they met, Bob knew in his heart that Caroline is the one and only woman for him. But Caroline seems to lose faith in their relationship. She is drifting further and further away. If he didn't come up with something fast, he could lose his marriage soon. Time to ask for some advise from his buddies.

"You can try buying her flowers and chocolates. All girls love that." Frank, one of his best friend, said after hearing Bob's story. "No, man. I tried that once. She yelled at me, saying she has no need for flowers or chocolates." Bob said. "Really? Then I don't know how to help you out now. Women are a mystery to me." Frank shrugged his shoulders. "You know, maybe you can sacrifice some of your sleep time and free time to help her out around the house." Bob's other best friend, Martin, said. "She doesn't need flowers or chocolates. She needs help. All she wants is for you to be around the house more often and help out with the house chores and the kids." Martin added. "That simple?" Bob asked. "Try it out. I believe it will help save your marriage." Martin said while smiling.

The alarm clock rang. Caroline groaned and switched off the alarm. She turned around but to her surprise, Bob wasn't by her side. Strange, she thought, as she got out of bed. She checked the toilet. No Bob. Maybe he needed to be in the office earlier today and forgot to tell her, she thought, sighing while thinking about having to get the children up, fixing breakfast and dropping them off at the babysitter's place. She hoped they will cooperate today. She cannot afford to be late again. She washed up and went down to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. To her surprised, breakfast was prepared and the whole house was neat and tidy. She stood at the entrance of the kitchen, shocked. She noticed a card on the dining room table. It read: From: Just 4 U Services. Before she could react, she heard Emily crying in the bedroom. There isn't anymore time to think about it.

In the evening, she got back with the children. The laundry needed to be done. It's piling up, she thought. She switched on the television for the children and went to collect the dirty clothes. That's when she noticed the clothes hanging outside on the lawn. What in the whole wide world? she wondered. Again, a card was placed beside the washing machine. It read: From: Just 4 U Services. What is going on? she thought. With most of the house chores done, she went and prepared dinner. No maddening rushing, no pressure. What is Just 4 U Services? I got to ask Bob, she thought as she was preparing dinner.

She never had a chance to talk to Bob as he was busy with the children once he got home. But at night, in their bedroom, she finally had the time to ask him about it. "Hon, where were you this morning? You usually don't go to the office so early." Caroline asked Bob. "Oh, there is this project going on and I have to get to office early." Bob said casually. "Do you know that someone prepared breakfast and did most of the house chores today?" Caroline asked, "Just 4 U Services. Did you hire someone?" "No. Did you?" Bob asked. "No. I thought you did." Caroline answered, "I hope it goes on forever. I have never felt this relax in ages." Bob smiled.

Just 4 U Services went on and on. Caroline began to relax. The strain in Bob and Caroline's marriage is gone. But Caroline was determined to find out who was the one behind this Just 4 U Services. During lunch one afternoon, Caroline snuck home. To her surprise, she found Bob doing the laundry while munching a sandwich. "What in the whole wide world are you doing here?" Caroline asked. Bob turned around in surprised. "I could ask you the same question. You are suppose to be at work!" Bob said. Suddenly, everything clicked. Bob's "project". The early mornings. Caroline's eyes filled with tears. "You are behind the Just 4 U Services? You go to the office earlier so that you can have your lunch break earlier and come home to do the chores. You prepared the breakfast. You did all these for me?" "Hon, it's nothing. I just want to help. Oh no. Please don't cry. I didn't want to let you know because I am afraid I will mess things up and make you upset again." Bob hugged Caroline as she began to cry. "This is tears of joy and gratitude, you big dumbo! This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you!" Caroline said, wiping her tears while laughing. "That's a relieve. I love you, sweetheart. I will do anything to make you happy, you know that, right?" Bob said. "Yes. I do. I love you too." Caroline smiled.

Just 4 U Services now has two people managing it. It's still ongoing and it will always be ongoing.